Northern Illinois vs Ball State Prediction College Football Picks 10/26/24

In this article, we will formulate a Northern Illinois vs Ball State prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, October 26th at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 9 matchup. 

Northern Illinois Huskies Betting Preview

The Northern Illinois Huskies are 4-3 (1-2) this season after they lost to Toledo by a score of 13-6 last week. Northern Illinois trailed 7-6 at the half, but they couldn’t find any points in the second half for the loss. The Huskies outgained Toledo by a total of 391-285, tied the turnover battle at zero, and went 4-19 on third down in the game. Josh Holst threw for 210 yards, while Gavin Williams rushed for 78 yards. 

Northern Illinois also has losses against Buffalo and NC State, but they do have wins against WIU, Notre Dame, UMass, and Bowling Green this year. The NIU offense has scored 23.4 points per game with 185.4 passing yards and 215 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 16.6 points per game this season. The Huskies have gone 43.6% on third down and 8-17 on fourth down through seven games. Josh Holst has completed 54% of his passes for 316 yards and no interceptions, while Gavin Williams has rushed for 487 yards and one score. 

Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview

The Ball State Cardinals are 2-5 (1-2) this year after they lost to Vanderbilt by a score of 24-14 in their last game. Ball State led 7-0 in the first quarter and tied the game at 14 in the third, but they allowed 10 points in the fourth quarter for the loss. The Cardinals were outgained by a total of 420-268, tied the turnover battle at zero, and went 2-9 on third down in the game. Kadin Semonza threw for 190 yards and one touchdown, while Tanner Koziol caught nine passes for 68 yards and one score. 

Ball State also has losses against Miami, Central Michigan, James Madison, and Western Michigan, but they do have two wins against Missouri State and Kent State. The Ball State offense has scored 25.1 points per game with 223.3 passing yards and 105.6 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 42.9 points per game this season. The Cardinals have gone 39% on third down and 10-18 on fourth down so far this season. Kadin Semonza has completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,538 yards, 13 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while Tanner Koziol has caught 55 passes for 502 yards and four scores. 

Why Ball State will cover

• Northern Illinois has lost four of its last five October games as a road favorite.
• Ball State has won each of its last three games as an underdog against Northern Illinois.
• Ball State has covered the spread in each of its last six home games.
• Northern Illinois has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight October games as a favorite.

Total Points Facts

• Six of Ball State’s last seven games have gone OVER the total points line.
• Four of Northern Illinois’ last five October games as a road favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Ball State ranks 134th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (310.9).
• Ball State ranks 134th among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters this season (-8.4).
• Northern Illinois ranks 8th among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (3.7).
• Northern Illinois ranks 8th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (156.6).

Northern Illinois vs Ball State Prediction 

Northern Illinois comes into this matchup after a disappointing loss against Toledo last weekend, and they have been a very tough team to figure out this year. The Huskies upset Notre Dame early in the season, but they have lost three of their last five games and the offense has been below average. Ball State put up a decent fight against Vanderbilt in their last game, but their defense has been horrible for most of the season. Despite the poor defensive play, the Cardinals have only lost two conference games by a combined six points. Take Ball State and the points at home. 

David Racey's Pick: Ball State +11